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Quotes of the Day:
"But the greatest menace to our civilization today is the conflict between giant organized systems of self-righteousness - each system only too delighted to find that the other is wicked - each only too glad that the sins give it the pretext for still deeper hatred and animosity."
- Herbert Butterfield
"Independence I have long considered as the grand blessing of life, the basis of every virtue."
- Mary Wollstonecraft
"The first of earthly blessings, independence."
- Edward Gibbon
1. B-52s Keep Up Surge in Bomber Activity over Korean Peninsula
2. China's new anti-spy law expected to further strain Korea-China relations
3. Brig. General Derek N. Lipson: Pioneering Change in US Special Operations Command-Korea
4. Defense ministry vows to build 'overwhelming' capabilities against N. Korean military threats
5. Hyundai Group chief withdraws application to visit Mt. Kumgang after N. Korea's refusal
6. Key offices of state arms procurement agency relocate to Daejeon
7. Gov't begins process to deposit forced labor compensation for 4 victims with court
8. It is time for Unification Ministry to change
9. Pyongyang's tactic to bash Seoul and come closer to Tokyo
10. Yoon’s approval rating hits four-month high at 42%
11. Unification Ministry to shift focus to N.Korean human rights
12. EU, Korea discuss cybersecurity
13. Caution needed in developing defense ties with Vietnam, North Korea's comrade
14. Could South Korea play the role of knight on chessboard of international politics?
15. Kim Jong Un’s clampdown on those caught using 'I love you', South Koreans words
1. B-52s Keep Up Surge in Bomber Activity over Korean Peninsula
With all due respect to the 4th estate, the media is getting it wrong. The increase in exercises and deployments and military readiness activities is not about surging or responding to north Korean actions. It is about establishing a new normal for readiness and training. We are not seeing a surge. These are pre-planned and forecasted activities. We are no longer in the ractive mode. We are taking the initiative to ensure readiness. The ROK/US military alliance is conducting sustained readiness activities to ensure deterrence and if deterrence fails because of Kim Jong Un's miscalculation, to defend the ROK and to fight and win the war which will result in the destruction of the regime and the nKPA.
To the media: please consider revising your narrative and describing what is really happening with the military instrument of power. This is the new normal.
B-52s Keep Up Surge in Bomber Activity over Korean Peninsula
July 1, 2023 | By Greg Hadley
Multiple B-52 Stratofortresses flew over the Korean Peninsula on June 30, escorted by U.S. and South Korean fighters as part of a “combined aerial training event,” both countries’ militaries announced.
The nuclear-capable bombers flew alongside U.S. Air Force F-16s and F-15Es and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35As and KF-16s, according to a release from the ROK Ministry of Defense.
“The training offered the alliance an opportunity to further strengthen its interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability, rapid deployment, and extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula,” a U.S. Forces Korea release stated.
The B-52s were from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and not part of the ongoing Bomber Task Force deployment of B-52s from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., which began June 14. Those bombers recently landed in Indonesia, the first time ever for a B-52, in a gesture of partnership with the strategically important southeast Asian country.
In contrast, bombers have been a regular sight for South Koreans as of late. This latest exercise marks the seventh time in the last six months that B-52s or B-1s have flown above or near the Korean Peninsula.
- On Feb. 1, two B-1s and F-22 Raptors flew with South Korean F-35s over the Yellow Sea, just west of the Peninsula.
- On Feb. 19, two B-1s flew with F-16s and ROK F-35s through the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone, a buffer area that includes international airspace near the Korean Peninsula.
- On March 3, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense announced one B-1 had flown with South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighters over the Yellow Sea.
- On March 15, a single B-52 flew with U.S. Air Force F-16s and ROK Air Force F-15s over the Peninsula.
- On March 19, a pair of B-1s flew with F-16s and South Korean F-35s as part of the joint combined exercise Freedom Shield 23
- On April 14, B-52s flew with USAF F-16s and ROKAF F-35s.
Prior to the recent flurry of activity, U.S. Forces Korea had announced just two USAF bomber sorties over the Peninsula in the last two years.
All seven training exercises have taken place since Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited South Korea in January and pledged to ramp up military exercises to include expanded use of air assets such as fifth-generation fighters and strategic bombers.
Austin’s pledge was largely seen as reassurance for South Korea after North Korea conducted a record number of ballistic missile tests in 2022. Growing concerns about those tests led some South Korean officials to suggest the nation should conduct nuclear drills with America or even pursue its own nuclear weapons program.
U.S. officials say they remain committed to the longstanding policy goal of denuclearizing the entire Korean Peninsula, and in April, President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced a joint declaration meant to bolster the U.S.’s nuclear “umbrella” to deter attacks on South Korea.
The document included a declaration that the U.S. would enhance the visibility of its strategic assets in the region.
The Republic of Korea and U.S. conduct a combined aerial exercise with the deployment of U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses over the Republic of Korea, June 30, 2023. Photo by ROK Air Force
2. China's new anti-spy law expected to further strain Korea-China relations
China's new anti-spy law expected to further strain Korea-China relations
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
Tourists shield themselves from the sunshine with umbrellas at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, June 23. Xinhua-Yonhap
Beijing feared to use anti-espionage law to flex muscle on Seoul
By Lee Hyo-jin
Beginning this month, China has implemented an expanded version of its already sweeping counter-espionage law, which significantly broadens the scope of what is viewed as an act of spying.
Analysts view that ambiguous clauses of the new bill provides plenty of excuses for China to wrongfully accuse foreign nationals it dislikes, adding risks to bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing that have been on thin ice in recent months.
Compared to the previous anti-spy law which defined espionage as covering "state secrets and intelligence," the amended law ― which came into effect from Saturday ― more broadly views spying as accessing "any documents, data, materials and items related to national security and interests," as well as cyberattacks against state organizations or critical information infrastructure.
But the new law does not define specifically what falls under China's national security or interests.
Moreover, the new bill grants extensive investigative power to Chinese national security agencies, which now have the authority to gain access to data and information on personal property such as smartphones and laptops.
The law also allows the authorities to impose exit bans on any suspected individual ― regardless of their nationality ― if they are deemed a potential national security risk if they leave China.
While it is a normal move for governments to criminalize espionage, expert raised concerns over the ambiguity of China's new law.
Kang Joon-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, speculated that that Beijing may deliberately take advantage of this ambiguity.
"The law is too vague. Since there is no specific definition on what constitutes as espionage, individuals can be investigated just for taking pictures of military facilities or sharing articles criticizing the Chinese government," he told The Korea Times.
"Foreigners who are unfamiliar with China's laws can be accused of spying for being at the wrong place at the wrong time."
A police car passes by the entrance of Tianjin Binhai No. 1 Hotel in Tianjin, China, in this July 2021 photo. AP-Yonhap
As to why the communist state has decided to implement harsher counter-espionage law, Kang viewed, "The Xi Jinping regime cites the need to better protect national security against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. But I think this comes with the underlying intention to more closely scrutinize rival states."
Amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, China may try to flex its muscles on the United States and its allies using the strengthened law, Kang said.
Considering that Korea's relations with China have been souring recently, Kang urged caution from Korean nationals staying or travelling in China so as not to become the first foreign victims of the new law.
"If a Korean national gets arrested or detained under the new law, it would certainly become a major diplomatic issue between the two nations," he said.
Against this backdrop, the Korean Embassy in Beijing issued a notice for Korean residents in China, June 26, warning them not to search or download data related to China's national security such as maps, photos or statistics on their smartphones or laptops. The embassy also said taking photos of local protests or engaging in religious activities prohibited by the Chinese government could also be "mistaken" as espionage.
Lee Sang-man, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, saw that the new law will have negative impact on Korean businesses in China, as well as people-to-people exchanges between the neighboring countries.
"It all depends on how the Chinese authorities interpret and enforce the law," Lee said. "It is very worrisome that normal activities of Korean business people such as networking with Chinese officials that were previously considered legal, may now constitute illegal information gathering."
Lee also said the new bill would be another reason that makes Koreans reluctant to travel to China.
In fact, China is already becoming a less attractive tourist destination for Koreans due to multiple reasons including complicated visa procedures as well as growing anti-Chinese sentiment especially among young Koreans.
A board shows the departure times of flights to Chinese cities from Gimpo International Airport, June 23. Yonhap
According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, about 1.2 million travelers flew between the two countries between January and May this year. The figure is only 16 percent of the 7.21 million for the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The plunging number of travelers have led Korean airlines to suspend flights on major routes to China from August to October.
Lee also worried that the tightened state control would have chilling effects on Korean scholars and journalists in China.
"Foreign correspondents' activities in China could now be more closely monitored by the state. And it seems risky for people like me, who have been critical of China's policies at some point, to travel to the country at this point of time to attend seminars," he said.
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
3. Brig. General Derek N. Lipson: Pioneering Change in US Special Operations Command-Korea
For decades SOCKOR (SOC-K) has been a backwater, and has been overlooked, under-resourced, and under appreciated (and housed first in an old Japanese shower building next to the EUSA HQ on Yongsan and then the in an Japanese morgue on Camp Kim - which allegedly was also the site of Japanese biological warfare experiments during the occupation - now it has state of the art facilities at Camp Humphreys). It is great to see this positive press for its new leader and the command.
Video of the Change of commander at the link: https://sofrep.com/news/brig-general-derek-n-lipson-pioneering-change-in-us-special-operations-command-korea/?utm
And for those who have not figured it out from my nearly three decades of writing (in case I have been too subtle) the pursuit of a free and unified Korea requires a change within the north, it requires a resistance that seeks change and such a resistance is best supported through those who have an unconventional warfare mindset. There is only one US organization in Korea that is organized and trained to develop an unconventional warfare plan in support of the alliance and ROK and US national interests (which if you have not been paying attention to Presidents Yoon and Biden is the objective of achieving a peaceful democratic unified Korea. UW is one supporting line of effort that can help achieve that).
Some references:
David Maxwell, “Unification Options and Scenarios: Assisting A Resistance”, International Journal of Korean Unification Studies Vol. 24, No. 2, 2015, 127–152,
https://www.kinu.or.kr/pyxis-api/1/digital-files/d3f8fb63-4f8c-49c9-a4fa-901d3120bd5a
David S. Maxwell, "Should The United States Support Korean Unification And If So, How?" International Journal of Korean Studies, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, 2014 139-156
http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482467285_add_file_7.pdf
David S. Maxwell, "Beyond the Nuclear Crisis: A Strategy for the Korean Peninsula, " National War College, National Defense University, 2004
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B513_sp6wSItQldmdVZ4cWFudWM/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-KR5LR-AJfuIC8qPAHnPNGw
David S. Maxwell, "CATASTROPHIC COLLAPSE OF NORTH KOREA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY," School of Advanced Military Studies, 1996
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yqumVcQQ6itdswGbU7OZ5MkdjpIni-jv/view?usp=sharing
Brig. General Derek N. Lipson: Pioneering Change in US Special Operations Command-Korea
sofrep.com · by SOFREP · June 30, 2023
by SOFREP 2 days ago
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(Source: Defense Now/YouTube Screengrab)
A Much Anticipated New Leader
In the world of military command, few appointments have been as eagerly anticipated as that of Brig. Gen. Derek N. Lipson to the helm of US Special Operations Command-Korea (SOCKOR). An experienced and decorated leader, Lipson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
The US Special Operations Command-Korea (SOC-K) has a critical and complex mission: to plan and conduct special operations in the Korean theater of operations during the armistice, crisis, and conflict, serving as the command and control headquarters for all US Special Operations Forces assets in Korea.
The challenges faced by SOC-K are multifold. These include navigating the volatile geopolitical landscape, ensuring seamless coordination with allied forces, and maintaining constant readiness to counter potential threats. The unit must also adapt to the evolving nature of warfare, which increasingly involves cyber and information operations.
Brig. Gen. Derek N. Lipson, with his rich experience and strategic acuity, is well-positioned to address these challenges. His tenure as the Senior CENTCOM Military Advisor to the Saudi Led Coalition (SLC) demanded high-level strategic planning, inter-agency coordination, and crisis management skills – all of which will be invaluable in his role as SOC-K leader.
(Source: Defense Now/YouTube Screengrab)
Given the escalating cyber threats, one of the areas Lipson could focus on is strengthening the cyber capabilities of SOC-K. His leadership could drive the development of robust cybersecurity measures and the integration of advanced digital warfare tactics into the unit’s operations.
Moreover, Lipson’s emphasis on teamwork and adaptability could enhance the operational efficiency of SOC-K. He could introduce training programs to foster these qualities among the troops, enabling them to respond more effectively to dynamic threat scenarios.
Lipson’s Background
Lipson’s career in the military began in 1990 as a Platoon Leader at Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry (Mechanized), Auburn, Nebraska. Over the years, he has ascended the ranks, taking on roles that have demanded tactical acumen, strategic foresight, and decisive leadership. His command experience spans various levels within the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), culminating as the Group Commander from 2015-2018.
Lipson’s leadership style is characterized by his focus on teamwork, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His approach has seen him successfully navigate complex military operations and lead his teams to achieve their objectives under challenging circumstances.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to support our nation’s ironclad commitment to the alliance that has continued to grow and prosper and strengthen for 70 years,” Lipson said at the ceremony. “The things we do daily as allies with regional partners ensure those we compete against do not miscalculate the strength of the United States and the Republic of Korea alliance and our commitment to winning.”
One of Lipson’s key achievements was serving as Commander of Team KSA and Senior Military Advisor to the Saudi Led Coalition Joint Forces Command Commander, SOCCENT (Airborne), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His responsibilities included overseeing the operations of Team KSA, which included managing personnel, making tactical decisions, and ensuring effective communication among team members.
Lipson’s appointment comes at a critical time for US Special Ops Command-Korea. The geopolitical landscape of the Korean peninsula necessitates a leader with a deep understanding of asymmetric warfare and the ability to respond swiftly and decisively to evolving threats.
Lipson’s extensive experience and strategic mindset are expected to improve SOCKOR significantly. His leadership could usher in enhanced operational efficiency, improved inter-agency coordination, and a renewed focus on readiness and resilience among the troops.
Brig. Gen. Derek N. Lipson’s appointment as the commander of US Special Operations Command-Korea is a personal achievement and a win for the US military. With his vast experience, strategic insight, and proven leadership, Lipson is poised to steer SOCKOR toward new horizons of success and excellence. As we continue to monitor developments in this space, one thing is clear. Under Lipson’s command, the future of SOCKOR looks bright indeed.
—
Want to know more? Check this book: “Weapons of the US Special Operations Command.”
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sofrep.com · by SOFREP · June 30, 2023
4. Defense ministry vows to build 'overwhelming' capabilities against N. Korean military threats
Actually, I think the only thing that is not overwhelming versus north Korea is sheer numbers. north Korean has the quantity but South Korea has the overwhelming quality and technical superiority.
Buried lede - The (renewed) importance of the UN Command (among South Korean government and military officials - if you want NATO forces to contribute to the defense of South Korea the UNC is the vehicle or platform for providing forces).
Excerpts:
As part of efforts to enhance international security cooperation, Seoul and Washington plan to hold a rare defense ministerial meeting with member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) in November, according to the ministry.
The meeting has been arranged as the allies mark the 70th anniversary this year of the signing of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. The UNC is an enforcer of the armistice.
Defense ministry vows to build 'overwhelming' capabilities against N. Korean military threats | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · July 3, 2023
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry renewed its commitment Monday to securing "overwhelming" capabilities to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats amid lingering tensions caused by its provocative acts earlier this year.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup presided over a meeting of top commanders to discuss the ongoing defense efforts, including strengthening the United States' "extended deterrence" commitment, "normalizing" defense cooperation with Japan and improving counter-drone capabilities.
The ministry underscored that the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) will be a key tool to reinforce the credibility of America's extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally.
President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden announced the establishment of the NCG in the Washington Declaration that they issued at the White House summit in April. It is designed to discuss nuclear and strategic planning issues.
The ministry also noted its push to strengthen the allies' consultation procedures for the "timely" deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, including a nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine as agreed by their leaders in the declaration.
"We have decided to further accelerate such efforts to establish overwhelming capabilities and posture against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," it said in a release.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (C) presides over a meeting of top military commanders at the defense ministry in central Seoul on July 3, 2023, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The ministry plans to push for an agreement with Tokyo on measures to "normalize" bilateral defense cooperation in yet another effort to improve bilateral relations long strained over wartime history.
Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have taken a turn for the better this year after Seoul's decision in March to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese firms.
The ministry noted that it will accelerate preparations for the launch of a "strategic command" slated for next year. The command is designed to oversee the military's key assets to better counter Pyongyang's threats.
In January, the Joint Chiefs of Staff established the Directorate for Countering Nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction as a stepping stone to the launch of the envisioned command.
The ministry, in addition, seeks to bolster the country's three-pronged defense system by pursuing revisions to relevant regulations on acquisition procedures for assets utilized in the system.
The defense system consists of the Korea Air and Missile Defense, the Kill Chain preemptive strike platform, and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation, an operational plan to incapacitate the North Korean leadership in a major conflict.
To address North Korean drone-based threats, the ministry plans to revise a guideline for joint air defense operations in October and secure more assets to detect and strike hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
As part of efforts to enhance international security cooperation, Seoul and Washington plan to hold a rare defense ministerial meeting with member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) in November, according to the ministry.
The meeting has been arranged as the allies mark the 70th anniversary this year of the signing of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. The UNC is an enforcer of the armistice.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · July 3, 2023
5. Hyundai Group chief withdraws application to visit Mt. Kumgang after N. Korea's refusal
The regime is unwilling to engage in any venue or on any level, public or private, governmental or non-governmental.
(LEAD) Hyundai Group chief withdraws application to visit Mt. Kumgang after N. Korea's refusal | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 3, 2023
(ATTN: ADDS details, analyst's comment in last 4 paras)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The chief of South Korea's Hyundai Group has withdrawn an application to visit North Korea's Mount Kumgang, after the North said it has "no intention to examine" the application, an official at Seoul's unification ministry said Monday.
Hyun Jeong-eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Group, which had run sightseeing programs at the North Korean mountain, had been seeking to visit the North in August to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of her husband and former chairman of the group, Chung Mong-hun.
Last Saturday, North Korea rejected Hyun's bid to visit Mount Kumgang, saying that Pyongyang has the policy of not permitting the entry of South Korean nationals into its territory.
"We make it clear that we have neither been informed about any South Korean personage's willingness for visit nor known about it and that we have no intention to examine it," Kim Song-il, a director general of the North's foreign ministry, was quoted as saying by state media.
Koo Byoung-sam, spokesperson for the unification ministry, speaks during a regular press briefing at the government complex in Seoul on July 3, 2023. (Yonhap)
Hyundai Asan, a subsidiary of Hyundai Group that had operated businesses in North Korea, told the Ministry of Unification that it has withdrawn the application to visit Mount Kumgang, Koo Byoung-sam, a ministry spokesperson, told reporters.
"The government will accept it later in the day," Koo said.
The North's swift refusal came amid expectations that it would not allow Hyun's visit as it has strictly closed its border due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula with weapons tests.
North Korea's refusal by its foreign ministry came as a surprise in South Korea because such a statement has been issued by the North's organizations in charge of inter-Korean affairs.
Koo noted that it was "quite unusual" for North Korea to release a statement on the matter through a foreign ministry official.
Pyongyang has typically responded to issues involving South Korea through its United Front Department, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, leading to the view that North Korea may treat inter-Korean relations as a state-to-state relationship.
Yang Moo-Jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, told Yonhap News Agency that the latest statement may signal that the North "views inter-Korean relations as a general state-to-state relationship, not as a special relationship."
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 3, 2023
6. Key offices of state arms procurement agency relocate to Daejeon
(LEAD) Key offices of state arms procurement agency relocate to Daejeon | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · July 3, 2023
(ATTN: CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state arms procurement agency held a signboard hanging ceremony at a temporary building in the central city of Daejeon on Monday, following the relocation of its key offices there from its previous headquarters on the outskirts of Seoul.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has been proceeding with the relocation to the city, 139 kilometers south of Seoul, from Gwacheon as it is one of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's key policy tasks aimed at promoting balanced regional development.
Main DAPA offices, including those in charge of defense technology protection, defense industry promotion and personnel management, as well as that for Minister Eom Dong-hwan, have relocated to the building in western Daejeon.
DAPA plans to complete the relocation by 2027. Construction has been under way to build a new DAPA headquarters in a government complex in Daejeon.
The signboard ceremony was attended by top government and military officials, including Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
DAPA expressed expectation that the relocation to Daejeon will help facilitate its defense acquisition function as the city is home to key research institutes, such as the state-run Agency for Defense Development, and close to the Gyeryongdae military headquarters.
Launched in 2006, DAPA is tasked with managing the country's overall defense acquisition process, including research on cutting-edge weapons, the procurement of arms from home and abroad, and the promotion of defense exports.
Government and military officials pose for a photo during a signboard hanging ceremony for the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration in Daejeon, 139 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 3, 2023. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · July 3, 2023
7. Gov't begins process to deposit forced labor compensation for 4 victims with court
Gov't begins process to deposit forced labor compensation for 4 victims with court | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chang Dong-woo · July 3, 2023
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government began a process to deposit compensation for four victims of forced labor under Japan's 1910-1945 colonization who have rejected the government's third-party reimbursement plan with a court, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.
Seeking to improve ties with Japan, South Korea announced the plan in March to compensate Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese firms.
According to the ministry, the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan started a process to deposit the compensation for two victims and families of two deceased victims who have rejected the government plan warranting compensation through a fund created by the public foundation.
The four are among a total of 15 plaintiffs who won legal battles against Japanese companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Nippon Steel Corp., at South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018. Of those, 11 have agreed to accept the compensation scheme.
Members of a progressive activist group stage a rally in front of the foreign ministry in Seoul on March 6, 2023, to protest over the South Korean government's solution for addressing the issue of compensation for Japan's wartime forced labor. The government formally proposed compensating more than a dozen victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through a Seoul-backed public foundation, instead of direct payment from responsible Japanese firms. (Yonhap)
As part of efforts to improve ties with Japan, the Seoul government announced its decision in March to compensate the victims thorough the government-affiliated foundation without contributions from accused Japanese firms.
Following the announcement, victims and supporting civic groups initially strongly protested the plan, demanding Japan's apology and direct involvement by the accused companies in the compensation process. Many plaintiffs, however, later decided to accept the government's plan.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chang Dong-woo · July 3, 2023
8. It is time for Unification Ministry to change
The Ministry must focus on the detailed in-depth planning for unification and recommending to the president the necessary policies to prepare for and achieve unification.
It is time for Unification Ministry to change
donga.com
Posted July. 03, 2023 07:38,
Updated July. 03, 2023 07:38
It is time for Unification Ministry to change. July. 03, 2023 07:38. by Joo-Young Jeon, Mee-Jee Lee aimhigh@donga.com,image@donga.com.
“Until now, the Ministry of Unification has played a role that suits the name of the Ministry of North Korea Support, but it should not be that way. Now is the time for the Ministry of Unification to change.”
This is what President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Sunday. He recently replaced the Minister and Vice Minister of Unification and the Presidential Unification Secretary simultaneously, emphasizing firsthand the background of the across-the-board overhaul of major personnel in charge of the unification policies in general. It is seen as his directive to change the role and stance of the Ministry of Unification, which has been focused on inter-Korean cooperation, and raise the North Korean human rights issues among others head-on.
According to a written briefing by Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye, President Yoon made these remarks to his aides regarding personnel of the Ministry of Unification, including Kim Young-ho, who was nominated as a minister candidate on Thursday. “The Ministry of Unification will have to fulfill its original role in accordance with the constitutional creed of unification based on the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy,” President Yoon requested. “The unification we should aim for should be a unification in which all North and South Korea residents are better-to-do and live more humanely.” “The Ministry of Unification will mainly be in charge of analyzing and responding to trends in North Korea and related to human rights issues of its regime,” said an official from the presidential office.
Earlier, President Yoon met five former presidential secretaries nominated as vice ministers on Wednesday, the day before the personnel announcement, and on Friday, the day after the announcement. At this meeting, President Yoon asked them not to show allegiance to him but to demonstrate allegiance to what the Constitution represents.
한국어
donga.com
9. Pyongyang's tactic to bash Seoul and come closer to Tokyo
I have not mentioned this for some time. We continue seeing the failure of the regime's political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies. Kim has failed to coerce political and economic concessions from the ROK, US, and the international community.
Pyongyang's tactic to bash Seoul and come closer to Tokyo
donga.com
Posted July. 03, 2023 07:39,
Updated July. 03, 2023 07:39
Pyongyang's tactic to bash Seoul and come closer to Tokyo. July. 03, 2023 07:39. .
"We have not been informed of, are not aware of, and have no interest in reviewing the intention of any South Korean to visit the DPRK," North Korea said in a statement issued by a director general of its foreign ministry. Pyongyang has thus clearly expressed its objection in response to Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyon Jeong-eun's recent bid to visit Mount Kumgang for a memorial event ahead of the 20th anniversary of the late Chairman Chung Mong-heon's death. On the other hand, North Korea has reportedly held at least two rounds of diplomatic contacts in third countries, including China and Singapore, with Japan, which has proposed high-level consultations for a North Korea-Japan summit.
North Korea's intention to secretly contact Japan while refusing to allow South Korea even for humanitarian visits is obvious. It is another version of Pyongyang’s old strategy to exclude South Korea and instead deal directly with the U.S., and a clichéd tactic to crack the recently strengthened trilateral cooperation of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan vis-a-vis North Korea. It is apparently an outcome of shared interest between Tokyo, which seeks to make progress on the Japanese abductees issue, and Pyongyang, which tries to create a rift in the South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral alliance, but it is unclear if any concrete progress will be made.
Even before the South Korean government approved Hyundai’s application, the North announced its rejection through the foreign ministry, rather than through an inter-Korean relations organization such as the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland or the Asia-Pacific Peace Commission. Pyongyang unilaterally demolished South Korean buildings in the Mount Kumgang tourist area already. By thoroughly concealing such illegal violations of property rights, the North has sent a message that it will treat the South as a foreign country in hostile relations, not as a special relationship in a divided country.
At the same time, Pyongyang has taken Japan’s hand. Of course, it is not easy for the Pyongyang-Tokyo contacts to bring about tangible results. Despite Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's proposal for an ‘unconditional meeting,’ the differences over key issues such as the abduction of Japanese citizens remain significantly wide. Furthermore, since the meeting will be conducted under the understanding and coordination of South Korea and the U.S., there is not much room for North Korea to exploit the gap between the three countries.
It is clear that North Korea has realized the limits of its provocations and is trying to make a change in some way. North Korea was close to China and Russia in the wake of the neo-Cold War, but it is now more likely taking an exploratory external outreach based on its judgment that it could become an international loner as Russia is mired in the Ukraine war and China is trying to improve relations with the U.S.
North Korea's tactics of cutting off inter-Korean communication and boosting Pyongyang-Tokyo communication will not work. Rather, it will only become a self-made fiasco that reveals Pyongyang's desperation. Once again, the North has dashed hopes of opening at last civilian channels of communication, but the South should continue our efforts to open the door to dialogue. At the very least, there should be communication in order to manage the crisis. That is why the South is keeping a close eye on Pyongyang-Tokyo contacts.
한국어
donga.com
10. Yoon’s approval rating hits four-month high at 42%
Good domestic political news for the administration.
Yoon’s approval rating hits four-month high at 42%
koreaherald.com · by Shin Ji-hye · July 3, 2023
President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating for state affairs hit a four-month high, and returned to the 40 percent mark for the first time in five weeks, according to a poll released Monday.
The positive upswing has been attributed to recent developments in bilateral ties with Tokyo that reinstated Korea on its export whitelist and his order to review political subsidies.
According to the survey conducted from June 26-30 by polling agency Realmeter, commissioned by Media Tribune, positive evaluation of Yoon’s state affairs performance climbed up 3 percentage points from the previous week, reaching 42 percent. Negative evaluation of his performance declined 2.4 percentage points to 55.1 percent.
The pollster surveyed 2,505 respondents aged 18 and older nationwide.
Positive evaluations of Yoon's performance has ticked upward for the third consecutive week, following ratings of 38.3 percent in the second week of June to 39 percent in the fourth week.
Last week, Japan brought Korea back on its export whitelist, after excluding Seoul approximately for four years in an apparent protest against the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling on compensation for forced labor. Korea had earlier restored Japan to its own whitelist in April, marking an attempt to resolve the export control dispute between the two nations.
Yoon also conducted his first major Cabinet reshuffle that replaced 12 vice ministers in 11 ministries, such as those for the science, foreign affairs, unification, finance and culture ministries, and the head of the National Human Resources Development Institute last week.
During a luncheon on Monday, Yoon told the new vice ministers that his government stands against cartels, according to a written statement released by his spokesperson, Lee Do-woon.
"We are an anti-cartel government,” Yoon said, urging them to “fight mercilessly with the cartel.”
"Totalitarianism and socialism destroy democratic societies from the outside, and corrupt cartels from the inside," he added. Yoon urged the vice ministers to uphold the spirit of the Constitution in carrying out internal and foreign policies, reflecting the principles of liberal democracy.
By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)
koreaherald.com · by Shin Ji-hye · July 3, 2023
11. Unification Ministry to shift focus to N.Korean human rights
Human rights upfront.
Unification Ministry to shift focus to N.Korean human rights
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · July 3, 2023
Kim Yung-ho, nominated by President Yoon Suk Yeol as unification minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs, speaks to reporters as he arrives at a temporary office in Seoul on Friday, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. (Yonhap)
The Yoon Suk Yeol government is seeking to restructure the Unification Ministry to focus on human rights issues in North Korea and analysis of the Kim Jong-un regime, de-emphasizing its role of facilitating inter-Korean dialogue and other projects aimed at the reconciliation of the two Koreas.
Yoon, following his unconventional, concurrent appointments of a hard-liner on Pyongyang as the minister and a veteran diplomat as the vice minister, reiterated on Sunday that the ministry should not primarily focus on "supporting North Korea."
As part of the restructuring, Yoon nominated Kim Yung-ho, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Sungshin Women's University, to be the new unification minister. Moon Seoung-hyun, who previously served as ambassador to Thailand, assumed the position of vice unification minister on Monday.
In his inaugural speech, Moon pledged that the ministry will promote unification and North Korea policies following Article 4 of South Korea's Constitution, as requested by Yoon. This article stipulates South Korea's objective of pursuing "peaceful unification based on the free democratic basic order."
"By doing so, we can prepare for the process of unification with the right direction and make genuine changes toward unification," Moon said.
"In particular, we will also strive to create conditions for the denuclearization of North Korea and substantially improve the human rights of the North Korean people."
The ministry will "exert more efforts to support the stable settlement of North Korean defectors in our society."
The current presidential decree governing the Unification Ministry stipulates its key responsibilities. Among them, the ministry will also concentrate on addressing other human rights issues including abductions by North Korea as well as collecting and analyzing information on North Korea, South Korean officials confirmed to The Korea Herald.
Amidst the prolonged stalemate between the two Koreas, the ministry has significantly curtailed its legally designated role in "formulating policies related to unification, facilitating inter-Korean dialogue, promoting exchanges, fostering cooperation and providing humanitarian assistance."
A plenary meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party takes place in Pyongyang from June 16-18, with its leader Kim Jong-un (3rd from left) in attendance, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on June 19. (Yonhap)
But the Yoon government's initiative to redirect the focus of the Unification Ministry has sparked mixed reactions.
Kwak Gil-sup, a professor at Kookmin University, said the Yoon government appears to be taking a balanced approach in shaping the role of the Unification Ministry.
"The Unification Ministry has tilted toward fostering an atmosphere conducive to dialogue between the two Koreas in recent years," Kwak told The Korea Herald.
Kwak pointed out that the ministry has neglected another major role, which is to "promote and advocate for the superiority of South Korea's liberal democracy on the Korean Peninsula, with the aim of ensuring that both the South and North Korean people can enjoy its benefits."
"The ministry has turned a blind eye to the Kim Jong-un regime's anti-humanitarian and repressive tendencies," Kwak said. "Therefore, in my opinion, it is highly timely and appropriate for the Yoon Suk Yeol government to discuss the role of the Unification Ministry while emphasizing constitutional values."
The ruling People Power Party on Monday said the Unification Ministry should "set its policy objective as bringing about meaningful changes in North Korea that align with the constitutional spirit of unification based on liberal democratic order" in a statement issued by spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong.
But the floor spokesperson of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Han-kyu, criticized Yoon's remarks as a "negation of the previous efforts made by South Korean governments for inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation."
The party also questioned whether Yoon's intention is to "turn the Unification Ministry into a second National Intelligence Service or an anti-North Korea propaganda department."
A statue representing the hope of a united Korea. (Photo - Flicker/ Christopher John SSF)
The Unification Ministry, initially known as the National Unification Board, was established on March 1, 1969. Its primary purpose was to centralize discussions on unification that were happening in different sectors of society following the April 19 Revolution in 1960. The establishment of the ministry aimed to address unification issues in a systematic and institutionalized manner at the government level.
Irrespective of the ideological orientation of the governments in power, the Unification Ministry has traditionally prioritized inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges as its primary focus, although there have been occasional deviations from this approach.
The history of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation that spans several administrations. It began with the July 4 South-North Joint Communique in 1972 during the Park Chung-hee government, followed by the 1991 Inter-Korean Basic Agreement during the Roh Tae-woo government. The trend continued under the liberal governments of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in.
The 1991 Basic Agreement defined inter-Korean relations as a "special interim relationship stemming from the process toward unification," rather than a traditional relationship between separate states. This perception has formed the basis of South Korea's policy toward North Korea.
But for the Yoon government, establishing an inter-Korean relationship should be based on universal principles advocated by the international community, rather than maintaining the "special interim relationship."
Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University in Seoul, however, warned that the Yoon government is failing to grasp the unique nature of the inter-Korean relationship.
Lim assessed that the Yoon government's approach to North Korean issues is "fragmented and shortsighted," lacking the necessary understanding to effectively address complex challenges posed by North Korea. South Korea's limited access to North Korea will thereby eventually hinder the country's ability to make well-informed policy decisions.
Lim also pointed out that the key role of the ministry is to devise strategies and create conditions that facilitate inter-Korean dialogue and negotiations, with the ultimate goal of pursuing South Korea-led unification, despite North Korea's disinterest in inter-Korean dialogue.
"We should keep in mind the crucial role of the Unification Ministry is to prepare South Korea to take the lead in the medium- to long-term plans for unification," Lim told The Korea Herald. "The current approach disregards the broader significance and strategic implications associated with the role of the Unification Ministry."
By Ji Da-gyum (dagyumji@heraldcorp.com)
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · July 3, 2023
12. EU, Korea discuss cybersecurity
EU, Korea discuss cybersecurity
koreaherald.com · by Sanjay Kumar · July 3, 2023
Thierry Breton, European Union commissioner for the internal market, discusses cyber security in his keynote speech at the EU-Korea High-Level Conference on Cyber Security at the Grand Hyatt in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. (Sanjay Kumar/The Korea Herald)
Policymakers and experts from the European Union and Korea on Friday discussed ways to address growing threats from cybercrime at the EU-Korea High-Level Conference on Cyber Security.
Delivering opening remarks at the conference, Park Yun-kyu, second vice minister of South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT, highlighted the impact of generative artificial intelligence in enabling cyber threats, like ransomware, to infiltrate systems, citing World Economic Forum reports.
The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2023 identified cybercrime and cyber insecurity as significant risks to humanity over the next 10 years.
Panelists discuss Cyber security risk management and threat incident response – lessons from the frontlines in EU-Korea high-level conference on Cyber Security at Grand Hyatt, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on Thursday. (Sanjay Kumar/The Korea Herald)
"Generative AI such as Chat GPT has made it easier for cyber threats to creep into our systems. Ransomware is getting commercialized through software and cryptocurrency and even in conflicts between countries," said Park.
Park discussed the Korean government's cyber threat response system, cybersecurity capacity, new security systems, core security technologies and large-scale Internet of Things projects, underscoring the Korean government's efforts at developing a robust cybersecurity workforce through training programs for top security developers and ethical hackers.
Panelists discuss Emerging technologies and their impact on cyber security in EU-Korea high-level conference on Cyber Security at Grand Hyatt, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on Thursday. (Sanjay Kumar/The Korea Herald)
"Europe and the Republic of Korea are facing a similar cyber threat. We all know, of course, cyber-malware (is on the) rise: worms, fishing, spyware or trident horses," said EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton in his keynote speech at the event.
Breton commended international cooperation to enhance collective resilience against cyber threats and acknowledged Korea's cybersecurity expertise.
He proposed a closer EU-Korea partnership on the cybersecurity front.
Park Yun-kyu, the second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, delivers opening remarks at Grand Hyatt, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on Thursday. (Sanjay Kumar/The Korea Herald)
Meanwhile, South Korea's international security ambassador, Cho Hyun-woo, shared details on the Korean government's efforts to support cyber capacity building in partner countries.
"Korea and the EU can work together to develop joint capacity-building projects in the near future," he said.
The high-level conference was co-organized by the Swedish Embassy in Korea, the EU Delegation to Korea, and the Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia project.
Funded by the EU, the ESIWA project aims to enhance security cooperation and awareness of the EU as a security provider on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and crisis management.
By Sanjay Kumar (sanjaykumar@heraldcorp.com)
koreaherald.com · by Sanjay Kumar · July 3, 2023
13. Caution needed in developing defense ties with Vietnam, North Korea's comrade
Caution needed in developing defense ties with Vietnam, North Korea's comrade
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong shake hands at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam in Hanoi, June 23. Yonhap
Experts say Seoul should tread carefully in taking advantage of Hanoi's bid to diversify arms import sources
By Jung Min-ho
The abysmal performance exhibited by Russia's military in Ukraine has been a PR disaster for its arms exporters and an alarming revelation for the nations that rely heavily on Russian weapons for their security.
As many countries seek to reduce their dependence on Russian military hardware, President Yoon Suk Yeol said that South Korea would reinforce defense ties with Vietnam ― one of the top buyers of Russian weapons ― at a summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi last month.
Yoon's surprising move has prompted South Korean arms makers to rethink their overseas business strategies, which have almost exclusively targeted those in the free world. Vietnam, a one-party state ruled by the Communist Party of Vietnam, still maintains cordial diplomatic relations with North Korea.
Foreign relations experts and industry officials told The Korea Times that South Korea needs to develop shrewd, long-term strategies as part of its efforts to take advantage of Vietnam's attempt to wean itself off its heavy dependence on Russian weapons, saying that doing so would require a careful assessment of the geopolitical situation. Both the potential benefits and the risks associated with South Korea's expansion into this uncharted market are substantial, they added.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation's sole aircraft manufacturer, signed an agreement recently with Viettel Aerospace Institute, an affiliate of Vietnam's largest mobile network operator, to develop and produce helicopters.
According to KAI officials, Vietnam is the first socialist country the firm aims to build a long-term business relationship with. They said that the KAI seeks to expand into the defense sector after strengthening in non-military cooperation first.
"No other socialist countries have been considered for such business partnerships, and the one with Vietnam was possible only because the U.S. lifted its ban on weapons sales to the country in 2016, given its unique geopolitical position," a KAI official said on Monday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong raise their hands during a state banquet in Hanoi, in this March 1, 2019 photo. EPA-Yonhap
Vietnam is unique because it has good relations with both democratic nations such as the United States and with its old communist allies: China, Cuba, Laos and North Korea.
"Vietnam has on-and-off tensions with China while maintaining deep commercial ties with it. As Vietnam seeks to expand cooperation with countries like the United States in the area of defense, South Korea should take advantage of it," said Kim Jung-sup, a security expert at the Sejong Institute, a local think tank.
As many countries in Southeast Asia maintain neutral diplomatic positions so as to maximize their national interests in dealing with the Washington-Beijing rivalry, South Korean arms makers' success in Vietnam could lead to the expansion of their presence in the region, he noted.
An official at a major South Korean arms maker said Yoon's announcement of strengthening defense ties with Vietnam was unexpected.
"So far, we have targeted mostly European countries, members of the so-called free world," the official said.
He said his company's collaboration with the government would be critical in expanding its overseas business, as it couldn't sustain such efforts without strong diplomatic ties and trust, but refused to comment on whether the new policy has affected the company's plans.
South Korea has much to gain from a stronger relationship with Vietnam, which can provide important support in its diplomatic strategies for China, North Korea and other members of ASEAN, an intergovernmental organization of 10 Southeast Asian countries, said Kim Young-sun, a former secretary general of the ASEAN-Korea Center.
"But defense cooperation requires the highest levels of trust between the affected countries as there is always a risk of technology leakages," he said. "Vietnam has built firm ties with us. But that does not necessarily mean its decades-long ties to its old allies such as North Korea have weakened. With that in mind, the government should tread very carefully."
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
14. Could South Korea play the role of knight on chessboard of international politics?
A knight? We can then address South Korea as Sir ROK.
Seriously, an interesting perspective from a South Korean PhD student in the DC.
Excerpts:
To some readers, my proposal might appear to suggest strategically inconsistent behaviors that could undermine South Korea's credibility as an ally. Certainly, I recognize the importance of strategic trust and coordination between South Korea and the U.S., as well as with other security stakeholders, including NATO and Japan. However, I propose that the U.S.-led alliance and international security benefit from the diverse roleplaying of stakeholders. South Korea's role as a knight in advocating creative, flexible approaches to geopolitical challenges will complement other security stakeholders more fixed toward a particular strategic orientation. Furthermore, this role play could turn the perception of South Korea's fluctuating domestic politics into a positive trait of strategic adaptability.
With confidence that their country is not a pawn but potentially a knight on the geopolitical chessboard, I hope South Korea's domestic politics will also transcend the debate over "pro-U.S." vs "anti-U.S." foreign policy orientation. Rather, I hope South Korea takes "Yong-Mi"(用美), "pro-using U.S." approach in proactively making use of the U.S.-ROK alliance to cultivate a role South Korea could play to advance its strategic interests and contribute to geopolitical security.
Could South Korea play the role of knight on chessboard of international politics?
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
By Lee Jong-eun
International politics has sometimes been described as that of a great chessboard. The description has been controversial due to its implicit assumption that weak states are like "pawns" used by the great powers to engage in strategic rivalry against each other. Subsequently, while the image of a chessboard evokes, to some policy analysts, rational policy calculations driving the international system, to other analysts, it evokes the vulnerabilities of entrapment and the abandonment weaker states face in the international system.
Since its establishment, the Republic of Korea has also been portrayed as a small chess piece in regional geopolitics. One prominent explanation for the Korean War is that the USSR approved North Korea's invasion as a geopolitical strategy to test the resolve of the United States. The U.S., in turn, defended South Korea based on the domino theory, which stated that even the fall of a minor state to communism could lead to communist expansion in more globally significant states.
Seventy years after the Korean War armistice, there remain anxieties within contemporary South Korean domestic politics that their country is still a pawn in regional geopolitics. Many South Koreans perceive their country as vulnerable, sacrificed as a "vanguard" in the U.S.-China geopolitical conflict. They also fear South Korea is vulnerable to abandonment in the face of the DPRK's nuclear provocations, as the U.S. would not sacrifice Seattle for Seoul.
However, often an overlooked aspect of the chessboard analogy is that there is a wide range of chess pieces on a chessboard. There are bishops, knights and rooks, whose strategic values might be less significant than that of a king or a queen but critical to any successful chess strategy. Similarly, the binary comparison of a superpower and weak states overlook the role of medium powers influencing the superpower's grand strategy.
For the U.S. President, New York's security might be more important than that of Paris, but neither is Paris a city the U.S. government could easily sacrifice geopolitically. Nor can a superpower easily dismiss the objections of medium powers whose roles are critical to the success of the former's grand strategy. In the Russia-Ukraine War, the U.S. government is sensitive toward France and Germany's caution on escalating economic and military pressures on Russia. In Asia and the Middle East, the U.S. tolerates countries such as Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia pursuing, at times, foreign policies that are divergent from the U.S.' preference to keep them as strategic partners within NATO and Quad.
Today's South Korea, with the 10th largest economy and sixth strongest military capacity in the world, is undisputedly a medium power. Though in the past, Korea's strategic values were often defined solely as a geographic buffer for China or Japan, contemporary South Korea demonstrates strategic values by its own capacity. South Korea's growing contributions to the global economy, technology, entertainment and culture have been widely noted. Since the Russia-Ukraine War, South Korea's contributions to global arms procurement have also increased, as Europe and the U.S. rely on South Korean defense companies to replenish arms sent to Ukraine.
Contemporary South Korea is strategically too valuable, in both hard and soft power, for the U.S. to easily sacrifice or abandon it. Though this does not mean that South Korea faces no security vulnerabilities, South Korean policymakers can have reassurances that their country has greater leverage than in the past over the chessboard of international politics. Such reassurance should also encourage South Korean policymakers to play a more proactive role in influencing the chess game of geopolitical strategy.
Could South Korea then play the role of a knight in the geopolitical arena? In chess, a knight is a unique piece that neither moves diagonally nor linearly but combines vertical and horizontal movement in a flexible pattern. South Korea should also strive for the role of a flexible ally who encourages the U.S.-led alliance to explore both "soft" and "hard" breakthroughs in its geopolitical challenges.
There are situations when hard deterrence measures benefit the geopolitical interests of South Korea and the U.S.-led alliance. The establishment of the ROK-U.S. Nuclear Consultation Group and the ROK's commitment to "stability" over the Taiwan Strait are appropriate deterrence measures as a relevant security stakeholder in the Northeast Asia region. In different situations, South Korea should be open to playing the role of an arbitrator in diffusing geopolitical tensions.
For example, a more nuanced involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war preserves an opportunity for South Korea's future diplomatic overtures with Russia for the interests of Northeast Asian regional security. Despite current security tensions with North Korea, there might come a time when the South Korean government should again be at the forefront in advocating a diplomatic settlement with the DPRK.
To some readers, my proposal might appear to suggest strategically inconsistent behaviors that could undermine South Korea's credibility as an ally. Certainly, I recognize the importance of strategic trust and coordination between South Korea and the U.S., as well as with other security stakeholders, including NATO and Japan. However, I propose that the U.S.-led alliance and international security benefit from the diverse roleplaying of stakeholders. South Korea's role as a knight in advocating creative, flexible approaches to geopolitical challenges will complement other security stakeholders more fixed toward a particular strategic orientation. Furthermore, this role play could turn the perception of South Korea's fluctuating domestic politics into a positive trait of strategic adaptability.
With confidence that their country is not a pawn but potentially a knight on the geopolitical chessboard, I hope South Korea's domestic politics will also transcend the debate over "pro-U.S." vs "anti-U.S." foreign policy orientation. Rather, I hope South Korea takes "Yong-Mi"(用美), "pro-using U.S." approach in proactively making use of the U.S.-ROK alliance to cultivate a role South Korea could play to advance its strategic interests and contribute to geopolitical security.
Lee Jong-eun (jl4375a@student.american.edu), a Ph.D. candidate, is an adjunct faculty member at the American University School of International Service. His research specialties include U.S. foreign policy, South Korean politics and foreign policy, alliance management and East Asian regional security.
The Korea Times · July 3, 2023
15. Kim Jong Un’s clampdown on those caught using 'I love you', South Koreans words
Is Kim Out Orwelling Orwell?
We should all adopt a new honorific and call each other "dongji "in a show of solidarity. Maybe if we start using Kim's approved words we can taint and corrupt his language and if we do that to enough words maybe we can shut Kim Jogn Un up. (note my strong attempt at sarcasm)..
Kim Jong Un’s clampdown on those caught using 'I love you', South Koreans words
Livemint · by Livemint · June 30, 2023
1 min read 30 Jun 2023, 10:53 PM IST Livemint
North Korea has announced severe consequences for individuals using jargon or vocabulary suggesting an association with South Korea
Premium
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (AP)
In another clampdown, North Korea announces severe consequences for individuals caught using jargon or vocabulary that suggests any association with South Korea. Under the Pyongyang Cultural Language Protection Act, the punishment for using South Korean vocabulary may include hard labour in prison or death, according to South China Morning Post.
Since Kim Jong Un has made using South Korean slang and vocabulary punishable, now North Korean women have been restricted against using words such as “jagiya" which means “honey". In North Korea, the women have to use “dongji" which means “comrade" to address their husbands.
Merely using such words shows that they have watched South Korean movies, the report mentioned.
A report has mentioned that saying “I love you" is also an indication that the North Koreans are watching South Korean movies. These restrictions have been imposed to wipe out the “rotten language of capitalism", the report added.
The North Koreans would also have to avoid words such as ‘paesyeon’ (fashion), ‘heeoseutail’ (hairstyle) and ‘waipeu’ (wife).
Last year in December, two teenagers were reportedly executed for watching South Korean and American movies – something which is strictly prohibited in North Korea – with the government terming it as “evil". A report in the Mirror said the two teenagers, who met in school, were executed in front of the locals.
During the mourning period for Kim Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il, the country had allegedly banned laughing, shopping and drinking.
Livemint · by Livemint · June 30, 2023
De Oppresso Liber,
David Maxwell
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Editor, Small Wars Journal
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
Phone: 202-573-8647
email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com
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